The NG consonant is one of the three nasal consonants. Learn the correct mouth position with illustrations and up close, slow motion speech.
YouTube blocked? Click here to see the video.
Video Transcript:
In this American English Pronunciation video, we’re going to learn how to make the NG consonant sound.
To make this sound, the jaw drops a little bit.
Ng– The lips part and the back part of the tongue stretches all the way up to the soft palate.
The tongue tip is forward.
Because the soft palate is lowered, air comes up through the nasal passages.
This makes it a nasal consonant.
You can feel the vibration in your nose.
Ng–
There are only 3 nasal sounds in American English.
Nn– Ng– Mm–
Let’s study it up close and in slow motion.
A relaxed, lowered jaw.
Since this sound is made at the back of the mouth,
it’s hard to get a clear picture of it.
The tongue lifts in the back while the tip stays down and forward.
The word ‘ring’.
The tongue lifts in the back, while the tip stays down and forward.
Lips are relaxed.
The word ‘along’.
Since the tongue is low for the vowel before, it’s easier to see the tongue lift in the back.
And now, it’s lifted in the back with relaxed lips.
The word ‘finger’.
Again, the tongue lifts in the back while the tip stays down and forward.
This sound can occur in the middle or at the end of a word in American English, but not at the beginning.
The NG consonant.
Ring.
Along.
Finger.
Example words.
Repeat with me.
Anger.
Ng– Anger.
Song.
Ng– Song.
Wing.
Ng– Wing.
English.
Ng– English. Single.
Ng– Single.
Beginning.
Ng– Beginning.
Hear the difference immediately.
Get the Top 3 Ways to Master the American Accent course absolutely free. Sign up today to unlock your American voice.
